That reminds me.... A trip to Devon, the days when fish was king, Astoria performances, and even a mine amongst the cod

That reminds me.... A trip to Devon, the days when fish was king, Astoria performances, and even a mine amongst the cod

LET'S start with more catch ups from our meandering lane of Milford maritime memories, and first up this week is an email from David Howlett.

"Dear Jeff…I was interested to see the recent photo of the crew of the Norrard Star, especially Teddy 'Bantam' Bowles, and Stanley 'Yorkie' Farrow, as it brought back vivid memories of an event that happened in the early 1960's, when my dad, Ted Howlett, was chief engineer of the drifter Lord Collingwood.

“It had been decided that the Collingwood needed some structural work, including the raising and covering of the bow to give some protection to the men when working on deck.

“This work was to be carried out the other side of the Bristol Channel, at Appledore, and my dad, plus Bantam and Yorkie, made up the skeleton crew to deliver the drifter to the ship yard. It had been decided that I, a pimply teenager, could go for the short voyage, despite my dad having last minute worries about the weather.

“Well, after quite a rough trip, we reached the North Devon coast, the wind was still roaring, manoeuvring round waiting for the pilot. All of us had changed into best 'going ashore' clothes, and those not down below, stood in the wheelhouse with Skipper 'Bantam' Yorkie by the open window, and, before anyone could move, a large wave crashed over the bow, and forced its way through the opening.

“The considerable volume of water seemed to take on an almost cartoon-like rectangular shape for at least a few feet, as it completely drenched poor Yorkie from head to foot. How we laughed. I still remember Bantam's roguish smile and chuckle at Yorkie's bedraggled state. Indeed, as we laughed, my queasiness seemed to disappear. Perhaps the sea was taking the opportunity to have the last word. Within a few months, the new bow gave greater protection to the deck and wheelhouse, and I guess it never happened again...and I'm sure Yorkie never stood by an open window ever again!

“Although not living in Pembs, I greatly enjoy reading your column. Keep up the great work reminding us when ‘Fish was King,’ ‘every day was payday,’ and the rattle of Lister trucks was only drowned by a busy, thriving Charles Street."

Cheers David, and many thanks for the comical anecdote…it's tales like this that make me keep on doing TRMs.

There's only one trawler that we can use in this week's Trawler Corner…and that's the Lord Collingwood. A steel-sided drifter built in Goole in 1930. 115 tons. 92' long.

In November 1964 the WWG reported the following incident…"A Milford Haven fisherman, 31-year-old Mervyn Spriggs, spent an hour in the sea off the Irish coast on Monday, with a huge mine floating nearby.

“He was dragged overboard by a recoiling piece of wire that snapped after the Milford trawler Lord Collingwood had netted the mine in her trawl. The trawler, in the charge of Skipper Ted Bowles, was fishing near the Tuskar Rock lighthouse off the Wexford coast, when the crew of 10 saw a barnacle-encrusted mine in the cod end of the trawl they were hauling in.

“As they dropped the mine back into the sea, a wire broke and recoiled, catching deckhand Spriggs and dragging him overboard. The powerfully-built trawlerman, weighed down by heavy clothing and sea boots, was dragged 15 feet below the surface. He struggled upwards and surfaced but it was an hour before his shipmates could drag him back on board.

“The rescued man is a well-known Hakin personality, a single man who resides with his mother in Nubian Crescent, Hakin.

“He was taken to Wexford County hospital suffering from shock, but miraculously no serious injuries."

The trawler was named after Admiral Lord Collingwood, who fired the first shot at the Battle of Trafalgar, and who took over command of the British Fleet after the death of his friend Lord Nelson.

The ship was broken up in 1970, and here's a snap of her, alongside the Welsh Princess.

Last week we mentioned the accident that happened to the trawler One Accord, and included a pic, which prompted Brian Brown from Angle to call me, saying that he'd been on the lifeboat called out that day, and remembered the incident very well. He confirmed it had been a perfect, fine weather day, and visibility had been excellent. He also recalled how the ship's crew had handed down to them a welcome supply of tea and biscuits.

Brian added how much he enjoys our weekly TRMs, particularly, the tales of the sea. Thanks for that.

A few months ago, with the help of Ken Clay, TRM was reminded of the post-war years, the late 1940s and early 1950s, when Milford attracted many entertainers to the town to perform in the Astoria and Empire, a good few of whom regularly ‘digged’ with local families, including Ken's folks.

Another who remembers those days, and who did the same, is Beryl Thomas (was Murrow).

One entertainer who stands out in her memory was the late Harry Worth, who went on to have his own TV series, and became one of Britain's most popular comedians. Beryl recalls that, during the time he stayed at their home, his act included ventriloquism, and during some hilarious mealtimes, it was not unusual to have a pot of tea, or a cooked dinner ‘talking to you’.

Late Fifties and early Sixties was also a popular time for ‘group holidays,’ when gangs of friends organised trips.

Here's one of the snaps Ken has provided as an example. A trip to Blackpool.

If anyone feels like naming names…please get in touch.

Now it's teaser time, and last week's Les Haynes' concoction brought a big response, all of whom said the answer was TEETH…which was right.

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